The first sod has been turned at the future site of Forrestfield Station to signal the beginning of construction on the $1.96 billion Forrestfield-Airport Link (FAL) in Perth. According to Premier Colin Barnett, FAL is a vital rail corridor which links Perth’s eastern suburbs to the CBD.

“The FAL will provide a much-needed 20-minute public transport link between Perth’s CBD and the eastern suburbs, and importantly will service future projected growth of residential and business developments planned along the rail route,” Mr Barnett said.

Mr Barnett said that this project is another example of the State Government’s strong record in delivering vital transport infrastructure across the region’s metropolitan area. He also said that this project is expected to create up to 2,000 jobs during the construction phase.

“The link will not only benefit people living in the new rail corridor, but will serve airport passengers and tourists alike and will leave a great first impression for visitors to Perth,” Mr Barnett said.

FAL is an 8.5 kilometre rail line from a spur on the Midland Line east of Bayswater Station then goes mostly underground to Dundas Road in Forrestfield. FAL will feature three new train stations, with two underground stations – one at Belmont near Brearley Avenue and another at Airport Central, Perth Airport T1/T2 – and an aboveground station at Forrestfield.

According to Transport Minister Bill Marmion, FAL is expected to generate up to 20,000 boardings across the rail network on a daily basis.

“Construction of the rail line is an important step in improving public transport in Perth’s eastern suburbs and reducing congestion in the metropolitan area,” Mr Marmion said.

Early works at the Forrestfield end of the rail is underway. Relocation of primary utilities are completed and construction is expected to begin on the entry points – also known as the ‘dive structure’ – to the rail tunnels by the end of the year.

In mid-2017, two tunnel boring machines from Germany will arrive for the beginning of drilling.

Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure Paul Fletcher said that the FAL project will improve the economic benefits of the airport because it will give Perth visitors an easier access to the CBD.

According to Federal Minister for Infrastructure and Transport Darren Chester, FAL will be able to transport commuters from the airport to the city more efficiently, getting them to work or to home quicker.